Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the international symposium "Climate change and the right to food in the context of human rights" in Ankara, Uzbekistan was represented by the National Center for Human Rights (NCHR).

The event, attended by over 100 experts, was organized by the Turkish Institute for Human Rights and Equality (THRIR) and took place on 7-8 December 2022.

During the plenary sessions, the chairman of the TIPHR, prof. Muharram Kilic, former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food (2014-2020) prof. Hilal Elver, Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva, First Deputy Director of the NCHR Mirzatillo Tillabaev, Ombudsman for Human Rights of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr. Nevenko Vranges, leading experts and scientists from Turkish universities delivered speeches.

During the speech of the representative of the NCHR, the participants of the symposium got acquainted with the measures taken within the framework of the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan to combat climate change, ensure food security, transition to a "green" economy, reduce the negative consequences of the Aral Sea catastrophe, and the nationwide project "Yashil Makon".

Of particular interest to the participants were the international initiatives of Uzbekistan, in particular, the development of the World Environmental Charter. Information was also provided on ongoing constitutional reforms, in particular, the inclusion in the Constitution of new norms on environmental rights, as well as the obligations of the state to take measures in the environmental sphere.

The participants of the Symposium were also informed about the results of the Global Forum "Human Rights Education" held in December in Samarkand, among the recommendations of which are the strengthening of environmental education among children and youth, the protection of the rights of migrants.

Symposium presentations noted that the effects of climate change affect the enjoyment of a wide range of rights by millions of people, including the right to food, water and adequate sanitation, health and adequate housing.

One of the ways to combat climate change is the introduction of ecological agriculture, since environmental degradation as a result of the impact of industrial agriculture leads to an aggravation of the problems associated with climate change.

To be effective in protecting human rights, all States need to take action to mitigate climate change and reduce the carbon burden of their economies in an equitable manner and in a manner that respects the right to development.

During the Symposium, an exchange of best practices in the field of human rights protection in the context of environmental and food crises took place.